Pentax Optio A40

Pentax Optio A40 features:

• 12 megapixels
• 3x zoom
• 2.5 inch LCD
• Face recognition
• Dynamic range adjustment

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Read More Reviews - (updated 25 September’08)

PCWorld
“I wish that Pentax had included a RAW image option (at 12 megapixels, why not?). I’d also love to have seen a 5X (rather than 3X) optical zoom and a wider-angle lens. Despite those minor shortcomings, the Optio A40 is a good, no-nonsense camera that captures pictures with surprisingly good image quality.”
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Steve’s Digicams
“ottom Line - The quality of the images from the 12-megapixel Pentax Optio A40 is excellent, as long as you are outdoors or have plenty of ambient light. This is a very compact and stylish model that is full of features. However, the sluggish burst mode and poor indoor or low light shooting was disappointing. When looking at the feature set and MSRP of US$300, the Optio A40 seems like an appealing “ultra- compact”, but the downfalls we found point towards looking at other cameras in this price range.”
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CNET.co.uk
“The kiddycam styling and ordinariness of the specs make this a pricey camera. The Casio Exilim EX-Z1200 looks sharper and includes more features with the same number of megapixels, while the Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS has sharper style. Still, if the price drops, and if you can cope with the cutesy looks, this friendly point-and-shoot does the business.”
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DigitalCameraReview
“I wish that I could say there were only some minor bumps down the Optio A40 road, but there were some glaring problems. Focus issues are a major concern, and the flash difficulties only add to the struggle. Given the camera’s very appealing overall image quality and quite good high ISO performance, it’s sad that I ultimately can’t recommend the A40 as tested given its issues. With some minor tweaks on Pentax’s part this could be a very fun compact and a strong competitor for the class leaders.”
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Pocket-lint
“The camera seems to operate pretty good other than a little problem with the auto focus around ISO 50. DSLR quality images were “almost” obtainable if you’re willing to fiddle with the cameras settings. Like most subcompacts the A40 starts showing digital noise at around ISO 400 but in the 50 to 100 range photos have crisp detail and punchy colors.”
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TrustedReviews
“The A40 comes loaded with some great technology such as face detection and dynamic range enhancement. Image quality was very across the board - fast focus right on metering and color reproduction that was clear and natural. Dynamic range enhancement used in high contrast situations really helped keep the details in shadow and highlight areas.”
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Actual Owner Feedback

“This is really tiny and I love carrying it all the time. I had the A10, A30 and not the A40 and they are all great cameras.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“Big problem - you can disable Face Priority in Auto mode, this causes the camera found “ghost faces” in what are you focus (my camera found 5 faces when I was taking a picture to a TV remote control).”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“On the down side, i find that occasionally, the focus seems to be just bad. I think i am not giving it enough time to think, but even when i give it time, it just blows the focus entirely.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“Got the camera for my wife to replace one that broke. She doesn’t go anywhere without it, is always snapping pix. Not an SLR or anything professional, but great quality for its size, great for all-around picture taking.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

Sample Photos

[Sample Test Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample ISO Performance Test Photos at TrustedReviews]

Specifications

[Official Pentax Specifications]

Owners Manual

[Owners Manual]

Press Release

GOLDEN, CO. (October 1, 2007)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the PENTAX Optio A40, the latest model in the Optio A series of advanced compact digital cameras with superior image quality and performance. Featuring 12 megapixels, this latest Optio features three types of Shake Reduction including mechanical, digital and movie. Each version helps deliver sharp, blur-free shots where camera shake is an issue such as action photography or in low light conditions at dawn, dusk or at night. The Optio A model also features the newest Face Recognition technology including a Natural Skin Tone mode and a Half-length Portrait mode, which automatically takes a head and shoulder photograph of subjects.

Key Features Include:

12.0 megapixel CCD 3x optical zoom lens Triple Shake Reduction technology SR, Digital SR, and Movie SR Enhanced Face Recognition AF/AE Dynamic Range Adjustment -Properly exposes highlights and shadow areas to show more detail 2.5″ Wide View LCD with Bright Mode High-quality DivX® Movies (640×480, 30fps) Auto and Manual exposure modes with shutter priority mode Intelligent zoom enhanced digital zoom Ultra compact and lightweight design

The Optio A40 will ship in October 2007 for US $299.95. Features 12.0 megapixels for higher image quality and enhanced performance The Optio A40 marks PENTAX’s first 12.0 megapixel digital camera for ultra high-definition images. Equipped with a high resolution 1/1.7 inch CCD for a wider light receiving area that is superior in tone reproduction and a new image engine that offer excellent color reproduction.

Three types of anti-shake functions to suit any photography situation

Mechanical Shake Reduction The Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism is unique to PENTAX, and corrects camera shake when photographing still images by shifting the image sensor (CCD) horizontally and vertically in relation to the amount of shake that the high-accuracy gyro sensor detects. Shake Reduction technology used in PENTAX’s digital SLR cameras is applied to the Optio A40 for highly corrective effects that are equivalent to shutter speeds of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 stops.

Digital Shake Reduction Digital SR (Shake Reduction) mode automatically adjusts sensitivity, to an ultra-high sensitivity of ISO 3200 according to the brightness of the subject, and effectively reduces camera shake and subject blurring when photographing still images. With fast shutter speeds, photography with reduced blurring is available. *Recording size is fixed at 5M (2592×1944 pixels) when “Digital SR” is selected.

Movie Shake Reduction The Movie SR function electronically reduces camera shake exclusively during the shooting of movies. This function uses software to effectively correct distortions in images caused by camera shake during the capturing of movies. *When using “Movie SR”, the field of view is narrower than during normal recording.

Face Recognition AF&AE function that improves portrait photography The Optio A40 is equipped with a Face Recognition AF&AE function* that automatically detects and focuses on faces. In addition, the Optio A40 also comes with new functions that apply face recognition technology, such as “Natural Skin Tone” mode, which smoothly captures skin texture based on the detected information, and “Half-length Portrait” mode,** which automatically takes a head and shoulders photograph of people recognized in photo frame. This camera’s “Face Recognition AF&AE” function uses the Face Tracker face recognition technology from FotoNation. *Recording size is fixed at 3M (2048×1536 pixels) when “Half-length Portrait” is selected.

New Dynamic Range Adjustment function captures a wider exposure range The Optio A40 is newly equipped with a Dynamic Range Adjustment by correct tones for highlight or shadowed areas of a subject with significant differences in contrast. Even when photographing people with sun in the background, the new function highlights subjects and maintains background tones.

Bright and easy-to view LCD monitor This LCD monitor is a high intensity type equipped with an LCD booster that adjusts the brightness of the screen even when viewed outdoors. The 2.5 inch size and high resolution of approximately 232,000 pixels makes it easy to confirm picture composition and focus quality. With a wide viewing angle, the screen may be viewed easily since there is little change in brightness and colors even when looking at the monitor diagonally.

3X optical zoom and 6X digital zoom for a maximum of 17.9X magnification The Optio A40 features a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 37-111mm lens in 35mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes to portraits. The zooming power increases to 17.9X zoom capability when combined with 6X digital zoom.

Video recording function with high-quality recording for extended capture The Optio A40 smoothly captures movies at 30fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640×480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Equipped with DivX® (MPEG-4) movie format,* the Optio A40 records long, high-quality movies. *The Optio A40 is DivX® certified. Movie playback is not supported on Macintosh operating systems.